Some good news: http://www.ussailing.org/pressreleases/2009/Jobson%20nomination.asp

I think he will be a breath of fresh air (pun intended) and as far as I know, is not a -hater- of the multihulls.

from his commentary of the Olympics



I also read an article of his linked from Scuttlebutt recently that he expressed favor of seeing a multihull in the Olympics in the future.

And in the new Sailig World he talks about the America's Cup fiasco, and says he would like to see it done on the huge Tri's, to get the public interest up again, and also go back to the nationality rules where all on board must be from the country of origin.

I've been reading his stuff since he helped Ted Turner win the AC back in the 70's, I think he has always had good ideas, maybe now he can push US Sailing to wake up and join the 21st Century.

I've met and talked with Jobson a couple of times. Nice guy, very personalble. He talks with great distain about multi's though. I can only hope he has changed his tune in more recent years.

I never felt he gave the Tornado's enough coverage in his Olympic programs that he did. But I'm a little biased I have to admit.

http://www.sailingworld.com/racing-...is-in-need-of-a-makeover-1000070318.html

Here's his take on the America's Cup.

He's already on the board of directors. Capron's hitting a time limit.

While I think it's overdue in many areas, I'm simply not expecting to see major policy change as a result of this.

I want to be proven wrong on this, only time will tell.

Mike

From Sailing Anarchy:

Are there any alternative candidates?

We should nominated JW

That would be an excellent man in that position IMHO. Give him some years and perhaps it becomes reality

Here in Norway multihullers and multihull friends have begun to get into position. "Look to Norway"

The election is in October, surely more candidates can get nominated by then?
Anyone know how the "election" process works?

I don't know how the nomination process takes place, but Sailing Anarchy has had some bone to pick with Jobson as far as I can remember - not exactly "impartial journalism". They seem to have some negative reaction to any other sailing related journalist or journalism come to think of it.

Its how they came into existence in the first place. At least they don't try to hide that fact.



Such a thing exists? In my education as a history major, I was taught that impartiality was impossible, and that bias is in everything that is put to paper (or intarwebs).

Over on SA they said he was appointed to the position he's in now by the president of USSA and that if he was elected(he's running uncontested) there would never have been a single member vote cast.
I recall Jobson hating Multihulls in the past, so I wouldn't expect alot of change. He seems like a good guy to get sailing more recognized, just probably not multi friendly.
Todd

Here's the straight poop. He's an advocate for multihulls in the higher-level events, though he doesn't have as complete knowledge about them as he often demonstrates regarding other classes. He made a specific effort over the weekend to talk with multihull sailors to see what their concerns are and he really listened to the answers. Without specifically condemning anyone, he definitely let us know in no uncertain terms that we're in for some changes.

He could have spent his Sunday morning and the ride to DIA with anyone. He came and found me, asked me if I needed a ride, and we talked a lot about things that are to come. As I sit on the Nominating Committee to represent the Multihull Council, I was very skeptical about him. In fact, I was a holdout vote up until the time that all but one other person had made up their mind that of the candidates we had, Gary was the best. After listening to him during the Board meeting and at various times over the weekend, I think Jobson's going to be a good leader.

Thanks for that report John. I have always thought he was very open minded, all sailing is good sailing, he wants to grow the sport and he knows two things will do that, speed and fun. When you add those two together you get a multihull. I hope you offered to take him for a spin on your Cap!

He'll be here next month.

Don't snap your tiller extension :P

Grow the sport.... What do you mean?
It's often said but never thought about... I think every US Sailing President is 100 % committed to growing the sport! How becomes the problem.... Jim Capron's mandatory membership idea was to get funds to do stuff.... err... not a good plan!

If Gary Jobson got a series of films produced using Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, which grabbed the public's attention and motivated thousands and thousands of couch potatoes to buy 20 year old boat, a bottle of wine and then get's them to happily putter around on the weekend for a day sail with 10 kids on the bat... is that "Growing the sport"

How about an action adventure with James Bond being chased on his Hobie (all catamarans are Hobbies). Is that what we need to grow the sport?

Is there a difference between Sailing and the sport of Sailing? Should my dues paid for the admin of racing go to support "sailing"?

What if he took all of the dues and funded learn to sail programs. Is that growing the sport and how he should spend money?

So... what kind of plan do you want Jobson to implement.

Personally, I will be delighted if US Sailing is able to focus on the core job of simply being a first class admin for the sport. We don't need national sailing coaches screwing up by sending a mixed team to what turns out to be a men's only international championship. We need administration that is absolutely fair and impartial for the elite sailors competing for the Olympics and we need admin which represents all disciplines equally to ISAF. We need admin that does not require the USOC to order a rewrite of the basic rules for fair sailing and redress of the sport.
I would like the damn web site to work... it seems every time i go to a saved link... it's dead and I have to find crap all over again.

Perhaps we need some reinvention of the admin details for
Rules and appeals, Judges, RC's, Training certifications
Scheduling events ladder events that feed ISAF world events.
Handicap rating administration is a bit like invading Afganistan... always a quagmire ... but most think we need some standards. They seem OK to me, but others might see needed improvement.
There are all admin functions that support racing at the local level.

Personally, I want a US Sailing Pres who steps into a sailing region and behind his leadership works to reinvigorate the yacht clubs and racing fleets that are the core of the sport of sailing. Leadership is needed to right size the schedule to the level of interest, coordinate and focus the rank and file around a racing plan to improve their racing experience. If the local PHRF C class is just alive...I think some attention by US Sailing might get the class moving (or like Obama with GM...) perhaps a change of leadership is needed. US Sailing should support YC's that have a plan and are working their plan and get their regional sailing authorities in action.

So... What do you mean by grow... What do you think YOUR National organization could or should do under Jobson's leadership?

Mark, personally, I think much more effort should be directed to a national "Learn to Sail" type program, like the new SailLaser program in Miami. In my opinion, US Sailing has spent way too much time and money focused on the Olympics, a once every 4 year event, which 99.9% of US Sailing members don't give a hoot about. But maybe Gary can change that too with better prime time TV coverage.

For the sport to survive we need manufacturers to survive, and for them to survive, we need more -new people- to get into the sport and buy boats. If they eventually work their way up to the Olympic level, great, but more access to better comunity sailing programs would be a great place to focus attention first.

If you don't water the roots, the tree will die, no matter how much water (money) you spray at the top. And maybe they will finally come up with some cheap rental boats at US Sailing Centers and a short, quick, check out program, to encourage more kids to get involved. There should be one of these centers in every major US city with a suitable waterfront location.

http://www.sail-laser.com/main/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=600&Itemid=607